YOUR GIFTS ARE CURING AND CHANGING LIVES! EDITION 2, 2019
INSIDE: TLC for the hardest cases Munia's in vocational training thanks to you!
You fight Buruli ulcer
BBC presenter visits Nepal EDITION 2, 2019 In this edition for you
3 Your message from the CEO The Leprosy Mission Australia 4 Munia update: in training thanks ABN 52 354 004 543 I ACN 067 616 193 PO Box 293 Box Hill VIC 3128 I Fax 03 9890 0550 to people like you Phone 03 9890 0577 Tollfree 1800 LEPROSY (1800 537 767) 5 Lily’s news: your support matters Email [email protected] 6 The double disadvantage of www.leprosymission.org.au leprosy and Buruli ulcer Follow us at twitter.com/TLMAustralia or @TLMAustralia 8 Total Leprosy Care – Become a Like us at TLC Giver! www.facebook.com/TLMAustralia Find us on 10 BBC presenter visits Anandaban vimeo.com/tlmaustralia Hospital Find us on www.leprosymission.org.au/youtube 11 Tune in to Leprosy stories on Find us on Christian radio instagram.com/tlmaustralia Find us on 12 In memory of Thel: God’s call to linkedin.com/company/the-leprosy-mission-australia/ leprosy-affected people Find us on pinterest.com.au/tlmaustralia 14 Cure One like Niran 15 Your Cure One commitment form
The Leprosy Mission Australia ABN 52 354 004 543 (TLMA) is a member of the Australian Council for International Development and is a signatory to the ACFID Code of Conduct. The Code requires members to meet high standards of corporate governance, public accountability, and financial management. TLMA is committed to full adherence to the ACFID Code of Conduct. More information about the ACFID We see Transformation: Code of Conduct may be obtained from The Leprosy Mission Australia website: People healed and living in community www.leprosymission.org.au or ACFID’s website: www.acfid.asn.au. The Leprosy Mission Australia is an international organisation that works with dignity, opportunity and hope in partnership with governments, public health officials, non-government organisations, the World Health Organisation, churches, Christian partners VISION: and others to achieve its vision of a world without leprosy. The Leprosy Mission is the oldest and largest leprosy-focussed organisation in the world today. Leprosy Defeated. Lives Transformed. The Leprosy Mission Australia complies with the Voluntary Code of Practice for Public Fundraising in Western Australia. MISSION: Following Jesus Christ, The Leprosy Mission strives to break the chains of leprosy, THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED CARBON NEUTRAL empowering people to attain healing, dignity and life in all its fullness. This publication has been printed using an ISO 14001 environmental management system (EMS) and ISO 9001 quality management system (QMS) Thanks to Daniel Christiansz, Paul Moores and Shabina Sadiq certified printer. It is manufactured using an independently audited carbon for some of the photos featured in this edition of ACTION neutral process. The paper is Sumo Laser, an environmental responsible paper manufactured under the environmental management system ISO Magazine. 14001 using Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) pulp sourced from well managed forests. Sumo Laser is FSC® Mixed Sources Chain of Custody (CoC) certified. This publication is fully recyclable. 2 Give a little TLC – Total Leprosy Care Your message from the CEO
Total Leprosy Care for the hardest cases – thank you
If only you could see what I see as Or we have to monitor both a As you read through this edition of I meet people affected by leprosy mother and her son as they ACTION, I pray you’ll be inspired living in the world’s poorest places. experience leprosy reaction and by what you’re already achieving. Whether they’re in villages, huts, recover from the stigma and trauma Thank you for working with us slums, on the streets or previously of leprosy. (centre letter) to provide Total Leprosy Care to hidden away in sheds, so many are That’s why Total Leprosy Care (TLC) the people who face the biggest being cured and treated and given is incredibly important. In this challenges. Jesus didn’t shy away new futures. And it’s thanks to edition, we urge supporters like you from the hard cases and with His wonderful supporters like you who to consider committing to a $30 a guidance and your support, we pray, volunteer and generously month gift to provide tender ongoing won’t either. give funds. care to the hardest cases of leprosy- God bless you However, it’s important to affected people. remember this ministry is not They may need longer courses always easy. Sometimes a cure of Multi-Drug Therapy. Or more Sheldon Rankin takes longer or is more difficult follow-up and care after surgery. CEO, The Leprosy Mission Australia than expected. This was the case Or assistance with livelihood and for Jemima in Nigeria (page 6-7). accommodation. Whatever the Sometimes the stigma of leprosy need, Total Leprosy Care is all about is so strong it’s not possible for helping people affected by leprosy someone to return to their village, through every stage of their journey even after they’ve been cured. to overcome the effects of this This was Munia’s struggle in India disease (pages 8-9). (page 4).
Coming soon! Your in-person field reports Field workers visit Australia to report back on the amazing things God is doing, thanks to your support. If you’d like to meet them in September/October, or if you’re interested in having one of them come and speak at your church or group, please contact Tim Collison on 1800 LEPROSY (1800 537 767) or [email protected] SAVE THE DATE: 12 October: The Leprosy Mission Australia’s International Partners Day Conference Eva Burrows College (Salvation Army), Ringwood, Melbourne VIC Go to: www.leprosymission.org.au/events for more details.
FROM TIMOR LESTE FROM NEPAL Joel Costa Dos Santos Amar Bahadur Timalsina Project Supervisor for Rights for People Board Member of TLMTI with Disabilities for TLM Timor Leste President of IDEA, Nepal ILEP (International Federation of Nona (Afliana) Lisnahan Anti-Leprosy Associations) Country Leader, TLM Timor Leste
ACTION | Edition 1,2, 20182019 3 You save lives
From abandoned girl to abundant life Thank you for giving to the Match Appeal to help those like Munia!
Munia was: Your kindness has saved this young woman from • Set on fire by uncles who feared leprosy becoming a tragic statistic. Thanks to the support of people like you, Munia received her leprosy cure. • Chased from her home by knife-wielding villagers • Forced to flee for her life and sleep in a train station. But the stigma of leprosy is so great, Munia can’t return to her village. So the next step is to help her become independent. And because of you, Munia is now a full-time vocational student, gaining the skills she needs to start her own business! After surgery on her hands, she learned how to do beautiful embroidery. It’s a touching sight to see Munia deftly using a needle with what remains of her fingers. Now she’s begun a tailoring course at The Leprosy Mission’s Vocational Training Centre. Principal Gabriel Pani says, “Because Munia’s hands are so damaged that she finds it hard to hold scissors properly, so her tutors are teaching her craft work which she enjoys greatly.” Because of you, Munia is alive! Once, Munia was in despair because she had nowhere to go. A beggar took her to The Leprosy Thanks to people like you, Munia is enrolled in Mission Hospital... where she was welcomed with a tailoring course. She’s well on the way to fully open arms, thanks to your support. Without the supporting herself! Driven away by her family generosity of people like you, Munia could have with knives and sticks, Munia experienced died—if not from the attackers in her village then the love and acceptance of Christ through The from hunger and neglect in the streets. Leprosy Mission staff. In contrast, now Munia has plans and hopes for the future. She wants to sell the crafts she makes so she can support herself. And it’s all thanks to you. What a blessing you have been to Munia. And to others like her! You’re TAKE ACTION saving lives! If you’d like to help other people affected by leprosy like Munia, “For I know the plans I have for you,” consider becoming a TLC Giver. declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you With Total Leprosy Care, including diagnosis, treatment and supportive and not to harm you, plans to give you community attitudes, others hope and a future.” like Munia may never have to go through such suffering. See page 8 Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) for more details.
4 Give a little TLC – Total Leprosy Care Give a little TLC "One in three new leprosy Lily thanks you for cases in PNG are children." Protective shoes were not enough to save much needed Total Lily’s leg... but Total Leprosy Care will give her Leprosy Care the ongoing support she needs. Thank you!
“... in so much pain her leg had to be amputated.”
Remember Lily? The beautiful 12-year-old girl from PNG? She lost two toes on one foot and had a terrible ulcer on the other due to leprosy. Through your generosity, Lily was doing well on Multi-Drug Therapy and had begun home schooling so she can finish her education. Unfortunately, we have sad news. Some ulcers are particularly tricky to heal. Despite receiving shoes and bandages to assist with self-care, Lily’s ulcer never healed. In the end, Lily was in so much pain her leg had to be amputated. We were so grieved to hear of this. If only Lily been found and treated earlier, she would have been cured and may still have her right foot. However, there’s still hope for Lily with TLC – Total Leprosy Care. Lily now needs follow up support - urgently. First came crutches for Lily. PNG Country Leader Natalie Smith says:“I went to the hospital to teach her how to use them and to practice going up and down stairs... The hospital only provides one meal a day for patients so we helped to Thanks to generous supporters like you, buy food... so she was getting enough nutrition to help the Lily will walk again with a prosthetic limb. amputation heal up quickly.” Natalie says they’re helping Lily get approved and fitted for a prosthetic leg. With physio and practice, she will one day walk again. TAKE ACTION Cases like Lily’s are very complex. We can’t help people like Will you become a TLC Giver today her without you. for $30 a month and rebuild lives with loving care? Choose the Total That’s where Total Leprosy Care (TLC) is so important. When Leprosy Care option on the back of you become a TLC Giver with a $30 a month regular gift, this magazine, call 1800 LEPROSY you can ensure ongoing care for leprosy patients. Because (1800 537 767) or visit sometimes leprosy-affected people need specialist ulcer www.leprosymission.org.au care, physiotherapy or prosthetics – all covered under TLC. Or if you have a heart for Papua As a special TLC Giver, you’ll have the joy of knowing you’re New Guinea, you may wish to commit to a country sponsorship helping children like Lily receive the TLC they need to live life for $45 a month. to the full.
ACTION | Edition 2, 2019 5 Fight neglected tropical diseases
What if have not just one but two neglectedYOU tropical diseases? Thank you for helping with the hardest cases Your fast facts on Buruli ulcer
As a wonderful supporter of The Leprosy Mission, you’ll know • A skin disease caused by the how devastating leprosy can be in a person’s life. bacterium Mycobacterium ulcerans But what if you have leprosy... AND an awful skin disease called • Starts as a painless swollen spot/ Buruli ulcer? At the same time. Like Jemima, from Nigeria. nodule that looks like a mosquito or spider bite How Jemima contracted Buruli ulcer is unknown but one suspected route is exposure through damp rice paddy fields— • Other symptoms include localised Jemima’s family are rice farmers. pain, fever, peeling, and crusty, non-healing scabs that can lead to When she was admitted to hospital for Buruli ulcer on her left ulcers. leg, Jemima was also diagnosed with leprosy. She received treatment for both diseases. Her leg ulcer healed then broke • Treatment involves antibiotics and open again so she’s had a skin graft operation. surgery or skin grafts for severe cases If left untreated, leprosy can lead to terrible ulcers and permanent disabilities. Meanwhile, Buruli ulcer can not only • Permanent disfigurement can occur if left untreated lead to disability but to tissue death and other serious life- threatening complications. • Found in 33 countries including Nigeria where The Leprosy Mission Jemima’s is a rare case... and we’re so grateful for your support works that enables us to fight both these bacteria-borne neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). NTDs are prevalent in communities • Method of transmission is unknown with poor quality housing, water and sanitation. but believed to be spread through aquatic bugs or mosquitoes. That’s why The Leprosy Mission is working with the Nigerian government on a whole state approach to eliminate NTDs. • Poverty is linked to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) like leprosy and Buruli ulcer. They flourish in communities with poor housing and We invite you to join us in this challenge. sanitation, unsafe water, and limited health care. As a Nigeria country sponsor for $45 a month, you will help people like Jemima who suffer from NTDs like leprosy and Buruli ulcer. You’ll help to: Buruli ulcer in Australia
• Find and diagnose new cases of leprosy and other NTDs like • 275 cases were diagnosed in Buruli ulcer Australia in 2017 compared to 89 in 2014 • Conduct training to prevent disabilities in people suffering from NTDs • Found mostly in coastal areas around the Mornington and Bellarine • Conduct water and sanitation training in schools and Peninsulas in Victoria communities to prevent NTDs • Low risk of contracting Buruli ulcer • Provide mobility devices such as walking frames and in Australia compared with countries wheelchairs to those already suffering disabilities. like Nigeria
6 Give a little TLC – Total Leprosy Care Cure the hardest cases
Take ACTION and Buruli breakthrough - Cure One today for Zero Leprosy in the future! When you commit to Cure One, you will follow Niran’s journey—meet this young Thank you, Lord! boy on pages 8-9. You can Cure, Care for and Restore someone like Niran with Wonderful news! a monthly gift of $36 for 12 months. Just tick Cure One today on the inside Until now there’s been no known cure for Buruli ulcer. back page and send it back Historically, treatments include a combination of surgery with your details! and antibiotics. However, surgery can lead to permanent disfigurement while antibiotics may lead to side effects like hearing loss.
Left untreated, Buruli ulcer can affect the skin and But now Swiss researchers* have discovered compound bones, leading to permanent disfigurement. Thank Q203. It appears to be highly effective against the Buruli you for showing compassion to those affected by ulcer bacterium. Head researcher, Gerd Pluschke from the this disease. Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, was excited about the discovery:
"Q203 is even more effective against Buruli ulcer than the current most active antibiotic rifampicin. Such a new and exquisitely effective drug combined with a second antibiotic may result in a considerably shorter oral treatment regimen with fewer adverse side effects."
The research team has been researching Buruli ulcer for many years. As well as Q203, they’re also working on heat therapy as an alternative treatment and hope to develop a rapid diagnostic test and vaccine. Any new drugs and treatments will go a long way to eradicating Buruli ulcer not only through our ministry in Nigeria but also right here in Australia!
*Source: https://www.news-medical.net/ news/20181218/Researchers-discover-promising- new-compound-against-Buruli-ulcer.aspx Without your support, Jemima may have lost her left leg.
ACTION | Edition 2, 2019 7 Total Leprosy Care
Thank you for Total Leprosy Care… in Jesus’ name As a TLC Giver, your regular gifts matter... let’s win the fight against leprosy one hard case at a time!
Jesus showed love to people with leprosy, curing them and accepting them. He never turned away from the hardest cases. Instead He committed them to prayer and the care of the Heavenly Father. Together, we can do the same!
It’s your love and generosity that enables us to take No matter how complex the case, it’s your heart for Multi-Drug Therapy to those with leprosy-offering them this ministry that means we can keep reaching out. a modern-day cure. It’s your kindness that gives us the Even if there are complications with treatment. Even if resources to walk the journey of care and recovery when a mother has passed on the disease to her child. Even reactions and resistance occur during treatment. It’s in the cases with the rarest conditions. In fact, these your prayers and compassion that means we can find are the people who need TLC the most! Together we those who are driven away due to the shame and stigma can be the eyes and ears and hands and feet of Christ of their disease-and give them love and acceptance. and follow his example by giving a leprosy-affected person a little TLC.
What you’ve helped achieve The good news is that over 16 million leprosy cases have been cured over the last 20 years! But leprosy is still prevalent in many countries with hundreds of thousands of new cases diagnosed each year. Slowly we’re finding and treating these people. They’re in countries such as India (page 4), Nigeria (page 6) and Nepal (centre letter). In some countries like Papua New Guinea (page 5), where leprosy was “officially” eliminated as a public health problem, leprosy cases are rising again.
Every 2 minutes Every 30 minutes 1 in 3 Another person is Another child is diagnosed Leprosy patients suffers diagnosed with leprosy with leprosy from reaction
8 Give a little TLC – Total Leprosy Care Join the TLC Givers Total Leprosy Care - No matter how long it takes
With your $30 a month, you can:
3 Touch the poorest lives 3 Fight the stigma 3 Give them new life
1. TLC THROUGH DIAGNOSIS, CURE AND TREATMENT This means screening, diagnosis and Multi-Drug Therapy provided as early as possible. It means self-care to prevent wounds from festering, resulting in amputations and permanent deformities. In the worst cases, patients may need physiotherapy or surgery to restore the use of limbs. It means working with the hard cases. This includes transmission from mother to child through close contact. Fighting reaction with the proper treatment when it occurs. Or combating other neglected tropical diseases like Buruli ulcer.
2. TLC BY COMBATING STIGMA WITH EDUCATION From Biblical times to today, the stigma of leprosy lingers. People with leprosy are commonly ostracised or abandoned by family, friends and community who are afraid of catching the disease. This is why The Leprosy Mission is actively involved in educating communities about leprosy and fighting laws that discriminate against leprosy-affected people. We need to get the message out—how to detect leprosy early, how it’s transmitted, how to treat it—and that it IS totally curable.
3. TLC BY BECOMING INDEPENDENT Microenterprise initiatives such as raising goats or chickens promotes self- sufficiency and provides income. Many people affected by leprosy transform from being housebound or having to beg for a living to having a new lease on life and becoming actively engaged members of society. Some even join the cause of The Leprosy Mission, helping others with leprosy and disability!
You can join the fight against leprosy with a regular gift as a TLC Giver. Through diagnosis, treatment, complications, rehabilitation and financial independence, your ongoing commitment helps leprosy-affected people through all stages of their journey TAKE - no matter how long it takes! Just choose the Total Leprosy Care option on the coupon ACTION! on the back page and send it back with your details! And when you sign up as a TLC Giver, you will receive a welcome kit. You’ll also be the first to receive news and stories from and about the people you’re supporting.
ACTION | Edition 2, 2019 9
Mums and children need TLC – Mums and children believes she’s being punished by God. believes she’s Pain in his body. Pain in his heart. Pain in his body. please give Total Leprosy Care today please give Total Bishal is just 9 and already he knows pain. Bishal is just 9 and Bishal’s friends won’t play with him – their parents won’t let them. won’t play with him – their parents friends won’t Bishal’s Lalsari, His mother, Because of leprosy. the villagers who look down on him. angry at rejection. He’s Bishal is sad and hurt at his father’s Bishal never sees her any more. his father. who lives with sister, And he desperately misses his little both Therapy (MDT) for leprosy, Multi-Drug Because although both Bishal and his mother received and swollen skin is blistered His his body every day. Reaction causes Bishal to feel pain all over of the stigma physical healing, they need to be free Bishal and his mother need not only treatment and Dear Friend, their come home – accusing her of passing on a “disgusting” disease to His father told his mother not to son. sometimes sing her to sleep.” “She does not have me to hold onto at night. I keep her safe and are struggling with reaction to the medication. a fever. with lesions. He often suffers from of leprosy! Bishal puts on a brave face about it, smiling. a blessed life...” Proverbs 28:14 “A tenderhearted person lives TLC? you give a little Will
Every 2 minutes... one person is diagnosed with leprosy.
TEAR ALONG HERE, INSERT THE COMPLETED COUPON ON THE BACK COVER WITH YOUR GIFT AND RETURN IT TODAY
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NAME ADDRESS POSTCODE STATE POSTCODE ADDRESS NAME SENDER: ______SENDER: PS. PleaseDONATE NOW soachild likeBishal–andhismumcangetthe TLC theysourgently need! CEO, The Leprosy Mission Australia Sheldon Rankin Blessings, envelope attached. Justfillouttheformoninsidebackpageof identifiedasearlypossible. 3 3 3 3 provide TLC forleprosy-affected mumsandchildrenthrough: But thesupporttheyneedthrough Total LeprosyCaretakestime –lotsof TIME. Your $30amonthwill ongoing monitoringincasereactionreturns. reaction. To helpthemhealemotionallyfromthetraumaandstigmaofleprosy. Then theywillneed your giftof$30amonthas TLC Giver is soveryimportant.
So manychildrenlikeBishalneed TLC –thankyou forgivingthemthebestchanceinlife! Please, willyoubecomea TLC Giver for $30amonth–andshare the Tender LovingCare ofJesus! Educating communitiessopeoplelikeBishaland hismumreceivesupportnot stigma! Counselling torecoverfromtheemotionaltrauma andstigmaofleprosy. Healing through MDTandtreatmentforcomplications likeleprosyreaction Screening andcontacttracingtodiagnoseleprosy asearlypossible–sochildren likeBishalare It willlikelytakeanumberofyearssupporttohelp Bishalandhismotherovercometheleprosy But thereality isthatmother andsonwillneed TLC – Total Leprosy Care for years. That’s why “If Ismilepeoplewillonlyseemysmile.Theymight forget whatmyskinlookslike.” thismagazineandsenditbacktousinthereply
YOU CAN POST 1800 LEPROSY ONLINE GIVE NOW PO Box 293 Box Hill VIC 3128 1800 537 767 leprosymission.org.au
TEAR ALONG HERE, INSERT THE COMPLETED COUPON ON THE BACK COVER WITH YOUR GIFT AND RETURN IT TODAY You give them love and acceptance
BBC presenter visits Anandaban Hospital in Nepal
When your worst fear is ostracism due to leprosy, then you Ram has seen other don’t expect many visitors in hospital. people affected by So imagine what it’s like to not only receive love and care at leprosy driven from Anandaban Hospital... but also compassion and acceptance his village. So he was too frightened from celebrities like BBC Songs of Praise presenter Pam to tell anyone he Rhodes. As vice-president of The Leprosy Mission England had leprosy. His wife & Wales, Pam recently visited the hospital as part of the thinks he was born Heal Nepal campaign. with clawed hands. Here she met Ram. He’s a stonemason and his family has Your gift helps fight kept his disease a closely guarded secret for eight years. the stigma of the disease. “My mother thought it was leprosy but said, ‘Don’t tell anyone, don’t tell anyone’ so we didn’t. I got married six months ago but not even my wife knows.” As his hands clawed, Ram could no longer lift or cut stones. But he desperately wanted to provide for his family. Thanks to the support of people like you, leprosy patients like Ram can get urgently needed reconstructive surgery to restore function to their hands.
Because of you, people like Ram are able to get reconstructive surgery.
BBC presenter Pam Rhodes makes a post-op visit to Ram. “His fingers will be sore for a few days but soon he’ll be able to move and use them again... this is really the first day of the rest of his life.”
Catch more about Pam’s visit by scanning the QR code Ram is so grateful he can work as a with your phone or visit: http://bit.ly/lightonhill stonemason again... thanks to you.
10 Give a little TLC – Total Leprosy Care Leprosy stories on Christian radio
Christian radio personality Susie Holt will visit Anandaban Hospital this September with a group You can follow Susie’s of Australian Leprosy Mission supporters. journey to heal Nepal! Susie will be sharing her experiences on the Luke & Susie Show, syndicated on Christian radio stations all around Australia. Hear about the fight “The thing that captivated me about The Leprosy Mission was against leprosy when they showed us a video on your favourite about the protective shoes they were making. The people were Christian radio specifically making purpose-built station shoes for each individual given their circumstances. “I just loved the humanity of that - looking at the individual and not seeing them as just a statistic but Tune in to hear Susie’s firsthand accounts looking at them and their need of meeting leprosy patients and the challenges and meeting their need. With my visit to Nepal, I would love to facing people affected by leprosy and disability. communicate to our audience the You can hear her on the participating stations below: daily impact of living with leprosy.”
VIC QLD TAS 89.9 LightFM (Melbourne) 96.5 FamilyFM (Brisbane) Ultra106.5 FM (Hobart) 103.9 LifeFM (Gippsland) Juice 107.3 FM (Gold Coast) 105.3 WayFM (Launceston)
105.1 LifeFM (Bendigo) Salt 106.5 FM (Sunshine Coast) ACT NSW 99.9 LiveFM (Townsville) 1WayFM 91.9 (Canberra) Pulse 94.1 FM (Wollongong) 92.9 VoiceFM (Toowoomba) NT LifeFM 103.1 (Grafton) 92.3 FM (Mareeba) 97.7 FM (Darwin) Rhema FM 99.9 (Port Macquarie) 91.9 FreshFM (Gladstone/ Rockhampton) WA The Light 95.5 (Albury Wodonga) 91.5FM (Gympie) 98.5 SonshineFM (Perth)
TAKE ACTION You can help Heal Nepal with a country sponsorship of $45 per month. Simply fill out the country sponsorship option on the back page of this magazine and send it back to us! Or call 1800 LEPROSY (1800 537 767) or visit www. leprosymission.org.au/nepal
Susie and Luke Holt talk Leprosy on Australian Christian Radio. ACTION | Edition 2, 2019 11 Take ACTION in Jesus’ name In memory of Thel Called by God to work with people affected by leprosy in India
• Heart for leprosy patients • One of the ministry’s longest-serving volunteers • Faithful prayer warrior
We give thanks to God for Thelma Mavis Grinter, known affectionately as “Thel”. She passed away at age 90 after years of service to others. Growing up in the church, Thel was always aware of Jesus but it wasn’t until 1947 that she committed her life to Christ. Thelma Mavis Grinter:
8 July 1927 – 26 August 2017.
Calling to work with people affected by leprosy
After completing her nursing course, Thel began studying at Melbourne Bible College. It was here she read the story of Mary Reed—a woman who ran a home for leprosy patients in the Himalayas. Thel felt the stirring of God, directing her to similar work with people affected by leprosy in India. So when she finished her studies, Thel followed God’s call. Armed with a newly acquired knowledge of Hindi, she sailed from Melbourne to India. She was then 26. So began 11 years of faithful service working with people affected by leprosy in Motihara and Muzaffarpur. She helped set up a medical clinic in Motihara—the lack of a building didn’t stop this young pioneer. Thel simply ran the clinic under the trees until a proper facility was built. With a heart for leprosy patients, she learned pathology so she could help with diagnosis and treatment. Despite suffering dysentery and pleurisy, Thel kept going, motivated A young nurse on fire with the by love for those with leprosy in India. call of God. (circa 1948)
12 Give a little TLC – Total Leprosy Care Take ACTION in Jesus’ name Life-Long service in Australia
When she returned to Melbourne, Thel volunteered at The Leprosy Mission Australia office in Box Hill for 13 years. This made her one of the ministry’s longest serving volunteers.
Thel’s passion was caring for people affected by She was tireless in church life, volunteering as Sunday leprosy but that didn’t stop her from taking up other School teacher, deaconess and missionary committee roles in Australia. She worked at St Gabriel’s Babies member. She served as pastoral care coordinator for Home, children’s disability organisation Yooralla and 10 years and helped in the church’s day care centre for Melbourne City Mission’s aged care facility Judge disabled children. Her closest friends described Thel Book Village. as a “faithful prayer warrior”. We honour Thel for her compassion and are truly grateful for her long-time service to the ministry.
Thel wearing her Sari and helping leprosy patients at Muzaffarpur. (circa 1958) Thel and another 'sister' graduating in 1950
TAKE ACTION Even after her passing, Thel is still giving and impacting the lives of people affected by leprosy. She made the heartfelt and generous decision to leave a gift in her will to The Leprosy Mission Australia. Would you like to leave a legacy like Thel did to continue touching the lives of leprosy-affected people? Then just tick Gift in My Will on the coupon on the back page and send it back with your details! Thel showing her compassion by reading to the You’ll receive the easy-to-read guide women at the Leprosy Home. (circa 1960) "How to include The Leprosy Mission Australia in my will".
ACTION | Edition 2, 2019 13 Will you Cure One... like Jesus! You can do as Jesus did and Cure One like Niran!
When you read the Bible, you can see God is a personal God. That’s why Jesus spoke to people one-on-one. Healed them one-on-one. Walked their journeys with them one-on-one. Today, we're inviting you to do the same. To walk the journey of a leprosy cure with just ONE person.
Please, will you Cure One like Niran? Will you Cure One like Niran with a commitment of $36 a month? His future should not be destroyed by That’s all we ask for 12 months only. You’ll Cure, Care for and a treatable disable. All it takes is your Restore a person affected by leprosy like Niran! one-year monthly commitment!
Young Niran has already lost his mother. This leaves him with his father who is affected by leprosy and cannot look after him. Niran’s already lost the use of his hands, clawed from leprosy. He’s TAKE ACTION lost the ability to fully close his left eye, due to nerve damage in his Change ONE life when face. We don’t want Niran to lose his future too. you Cure One! Become a And he doesn’t have to when someone like you makes the pledge to Cure One Supporter today Cure One! by filling out the form on page 15 and sending it back to us! When you make this commitment, you’ll experience the incredible joy of the Cure One journey: 3 You can CURE. You can rejoice with Niran when he finishes his leprosy cure – instead of being left to deteriorate and suffer terrible ulcers. 3 You can CARE. You will be excited over mobility restored to his hands through surgery and physiotherapy - instead of being left dependent on others because he can’t do simple tasks for himself or hold a pencil at school. 3 You can RESTORE. You can have the satisfaction of knowing you’ve helped someone like Niran finish school... and restore him back to play and friends in his community.
It’s an amazing thing to Cure One. You give a child back a future they would otherwise not see because of an easily treatable, curable disease. Please help Cure One like Niran today.
14 Change one life when you Cure One - today! Cure One today!
Bring healing and restoration YES! I will Cure to just ONE children when One like Niran! you Cure One I want to experience the joy of Niran’s Cure, like Niran! Care and Restore journey of healing. • I will Cure one person from leprosy with a year-long course of Multi-Drug Therapy • I will Care for nerve damaged limbs and other after effects of leprosy • I will Restore a person to independence and their community.
I will commit to: (please tick) $36 a month for 12 months to Cure One! $432 upfront payment for the year $72 a month for 12 months to Cure Two! $36 a month ongoing to cure more Sorry! I cannot commit to Cure One. But please accept my one-off gift of $ to help cure one person like Niran today!
My contact details: PLEASE USE BLOCK LETTERS Mr Mrs Ms Miss Name: ______FIRST NAME LAST NAME Address: ______Suburb: ______P/code ______State: ______
Phone: ( _____ ) ______Email: ______
My payment details: (please choose between Credit Card and Direct Debit for regular monthly gifts and once off / upfront payments) Cheque / Money Order (My once off / upfront donation) payable to The Leprosy Mission Australia Credit Card (My regular gift processed on 1st 8th 15th 22nd of the month) Please charge my regular gift or my once off / upfront payment to:
Card Number:
Name on Card:
Signature: Expiry Date: / Send back your completed form: Please mail to The Leprosy Mission Australia, Reply Paid 83988, Box Hill, VIC 3128.
Thank you for your commitment to Cure One today... just like Jesus did! 20CURE19AB take ACTION! There are so many ways to support the ministry of healing and restoring leprosy-affected people! Thank you for taking action and reflecting God’s compassion for the ones the Jesus loves. Tick the areas that interest you below and send it back to us. I would like to: 1 GIVE FINANCIALLY Total Leprosy Care $30 a month to become a TLC Giver and help the hardest leprosy cases Country Sponsorship $45 a month towards a country-wide approach to bring healing, fight stigma and educate communities about leprosy Nigeria Nepal India Timor Leste Papua New Guinea My one-off gift of $______to help people affected by leprosy and disability! Cure One today – please complete the form on page 15 (over page)
I enclose my Cheque / Money Order payable to The Leprosy Mission Australia OR Please charge my Credit Card: (My regular gift processed on 1st 8th 15th 22nd of the month)
Card Number: Name on Card:
Signature: Expiry Date: / Direct Deposit / Online Banking: The Leprosy Mission Overseas Relief Fund account: BSB: 013225 No: 297114729 In the reference field enter: SURNAME 20ACTIONB Please email notification of payment to: [email protected]
2 PARTNER IN PRAYER Keep in Touch – the monthly KIT with Australian prayer notes and news ASK 2020 Diary – yearly international prayer guide 3 PLEASE SEND ME Cure One Catalogue – I want to shop from the Fairtrade catalogue Gift in Will – The guide How to include The Leprosy Mission Australia in my Will
4 My Contact Details: Mr Mrs Ms Miss First Name Surname Address Suburb TEAR ALONG HERE, INSERT THE COMPLETED COUPON WITH YOUR GIFT INTO THE ENVELOPE LOCATED IN THE CENTRESPREAD AND RETURN IT TODAY LOCATED THE ENVELOPE GIFT INTO WITH YOUR COUPON HERE, INSERT THE COMPLETED TEAR ALONG State P/code Phone ( ) Email
THANK YOU Supporters like you are such a blessing. Thank you for each prayer, each volunteer hour and each dollar you give.